What should I do with my teenagers is a question I see popping up time and time again. My honest answer, is to ask them what they'd like to do.
Located on the Lionheart estate in Alnwick, the Aln Valley Railway is an ambitious project which opened in 2012. It is looking like it is going to be an up and coming place for a family day out.
Today our writer Gaia is sharing a flat, pushchair friendly walk with stunning views and a lovely tea room. This post was published and last updated in April 2022.
This is an advert.
Bedknobs and Broomsticks is flying into the North East over Easter 2022 with a stint at Sunderland Empire. Tickets are available for dates from now until 24 April from £13 plus fees. Find out more and book here.
Produced by Michael Harris by special arrangement with Disney Theatrical Productions, the quality is of the highest standard.
This is an advert for April 2022. Any shares/edits beyond this date have not been asked or paid for.
Mortal Fools is an award-winning theatre, drama and creative learning charity based in Northumberland.
This year, Mortal Fools celebrates their 10th birthday. They have already achieved so much in this past decade including collaborating with young people to help create a Coronaviris Time Capsule and working with young people on the fantastic 'When the World is Loud'.
Thanks to our writer Gaia for this post based on a visit in March 2022. Please check with venue direct for the most up-to-date information. If you’re looking for a soft play with a very chic aesthetic that’s actually pleasant to spend time in as an adult, check out Pineapple and Bears (https://pineappleandbears.com) under 7s playhub in Winlaton Mill. Sessions must be pre-booked. Walk ins are not available in the cafe areas/soft play at this time.
This is an advert based on a visit in April 2022. Any shares/edits beyond this date have not been asked or paid for. Please check the Science at Life website for the most up-to-date information before visiting.
I paid Science at Life a visit with Jack (11), my brother Mark and nephew Evan (6) in the Easter holidays.
Life is a place I have visited many, many times before, especially when all three of my children were aged under 10 and I have many happy memories of visiting Dinosaurs, Doctor Who and Gaming exhibitions, Animals Inside Out, Brick Dinos and more over they years.
We did visit briefly during the pandemic when they had a limited section open to the public but it had been a good few years since our last proper full visit.
There are often posts in our Facebook group asking about what to expect here or if it's worth it. After visiting today, I can definitely say it is worth a visit. Hopefully this post will give you a little bit of an idea of what to expect from your visit.
For the last few weeks my daughter and I have been enjoying swim classes with Nemo Swimming. I was a little nervous about taking her swimming; being a pandemic baby she was introduced to swimming pools a little later in life than my older two and our first experience with her in a pool hadn’t been a good one.
This is an advert for April 2022. Any shares or edits beyond this date have not been asked or paid for.
Thanks to our writer Cat for this post. If you have dinosaur obsessed kids, Teessaurus Park is a lovely spot to explore and have a picnic. It's not particularly well known and not something you see advertised very often.
If you use the postcode TS2 1QE it will take you to the car park in front of the park. The car park only has about 30 spaces ( including a couple of disabled spaces) but it's never been even half full when we've been.
Steve has shared his delicious homemade chocolate orange hot cross bun recipe today. Let me know if you try it. Over the Steve:
Easter is just around the Corner and one my favourite treats at Easter is Hot cross buns, but I've never made my own. I like to dabble in baking from time to time but I'm no Mary Berry, I had a search around a few websites and cook books for inspiration and decided to put a twist on mine by adding Chocolate Orange (all baking recipes are improved by adding chocolate orange).
Ad - Our writer Gaia was invited to a preview event on 9 April 2022 which is when the photos in this post were taken. Any shares/edits beyond this point have not been asked or paid for. Please visit Raby Castle's website and social media for the most up-to-date information. You can read an updated version of this post from July 2024 here: https://www.northeastfamilyfun.co.uk/2024/07/raby-castle-park-gardens-review.html
We got a sneak preview of the new adventure playground at Raby Castle; ‘Plotters' Forest.’
Situated within the Christmas tree plantation at Raby up in the treetops, it’s a brilliant new addition to this North East Landmark and it opens on Good Friday 15th April.
This is an advert for April 2022. Any shares/amendments beyond this have not been asked or paid for. Please check the Royal Quays website for the most up-to-date information.
Thanks to our writer Bethanie for their help in putting this post together.
While we are all enjoying the feeling of getting outdoors more as the season changes, it is fair to say we also need to be prepared for those rainy days. What to do on a wet weekend in Northumberland? How to fill a half term holiday if the weather isn’t on our side?
Save these for the weekend or school holidays. All information is correct of March 2022. Some places require booking in advance so check before you visit.
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Chester Park
Chester Le Street Riverside Park is located just off the A167, a short distance from Chester Le Street town centre. The park is a flat, 5-10 walk from Chester Le Street market place which is where most buses that pass through the town, stop and the train station is about a 20 minute walk away (but be mindful that a very limited number of trains stop at Chester Le Street now).
The images in this post are courtesy of Drayton Manor.
We visited Drayton Manor Theme Park a few times when the kids were little. Jack was obsessed with Thomas and our days out here hold lots of special memories.
I've always thought Drayton Manor is a lovely theme park with lots to see and do including rides for older children, Thomas Land, a zoo, dinosaur area and more. It's a nice and varied day out with something to suit everyone.
